WHAT'S SO GREAT ABOUT THE CHURCH? -- Devotional for August 19, from "Good Seeds"

“I will build my church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:18).

Jesus must have thought the church was pretty important, to make a statement such as this. Just what is so great about the church? Why does it still exist today, and why are there churches all over the world? These three descriptions of the church may help to answer these questions:
#1 The Church is a HOME. Joe Christian travels halfway around the world; he sees a church and walks in; suddenly, he’s home again! The Bible says a Christian’s citizenship is in heaven. But until we get there, God has provided a “home away from home” for His people. The church is our earthly home until we reach our heavenly home. A good church gives the Christian what a good home gives a family: nutrition, warmth, safety, security, fellowship, and fun. Some might think it’s pretty boring at home, so they go out on the town to have some fun. But as soon as loneliness or sickness strikes where do they go? Home! The church is a haven for lonely saints, and a hospital for sick saints. (Something to remember the next time a fellow church member irritates you: maybe he's sick; maybe he's lonely).
#2 The Church is a SCHOOL. Schools are dedicated to the education of minds and the honing of skills, so students can get along in this world. Ignorance is weakness, but knowledge is power! If that’s true of everyday things like history, science and mathematics, it must be doubly true of eternal things like grace and peace, and heaven and hell. When we come to church, we don’t leave our minds behind, but bring them with us so we can keep learning the things we need to know not only to survive and thrive in this life, but to get safely into the next.
#3 The Church is a LIGHTHOUSE. Take a look at today’s news: the world is a dangerous place! There are wars way over across the sea – and sometimes right across the street! You’d think that as nations become more civilized, there would be a reduction in public evils such as neighborhood violence, unethical business practices, shady politics – and a lessening of private evils like gambling, drunkenness, immorality and divorce. But things aren’t getting better, but worse. In the midst of all this darkness, the church can shine the light of Jesus: there is the payment for sin, the promise of mercy, and the provision of grace, for any soul that calls on the Lord. All around us people are drowning in the sea of despair, confusion, and sin. Can your church be a light for their darkness? You bet it can! Do you want to rescue your unsaved friends and family from the waves of sin? The only thing that can save them is the gospel of Jesus Christ. And that's why Jesus built His church.